Connection member set for solar battery cell, and solar cell string and solar cell module using same

Abstract

A connecting member set includes a first connecting member connected to one of a pair of solar cells, and a second connecting member connected to the other solar cell. The first connecting member and the second connecting member have a first planar portion and a second planar portion, respectively. The first planar portion and the second planar portion are layered on each other and electrically connected with each other. The first planar portion has at least one of a cut-out portion or an opening through which the second planar portion is exposed toward the first planar portion when the first planar portion and the second planar portion are layered on each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connecting member set for electrically connecting a pair of solar cells each having a bottom surface on which is disposed a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being one of an n-type electrode or a p-type electrode, the second electrode being the other one of the n-type electrode or the p-type electrode, the connecting member set comprising:
 a first connecting member having a first electrode connecting portion that is electrically connected to the first electrode of a first solar cell of the pair of solar cells; and 
 a second connecting member having a second electrode connecting portion that is electrically connected to the second electrode of a second solar cell of the pair of solar cells, 
 wherein 
 the first connecting member and the second connecting member have a first planar portion and a second planar portion, respectively, the first planar portion and the second planar portion are layered on each other and electrically connected with each other, 
 the first planar portion of the first connecting member has at least one of a cut-out portion or an opening through which the second planar portion of the second connecting member is exposed toward the first planar portion when the first planar portion and the second planar portion are layered on each other, 
 the first electrode connecting portion and the second electrode connecting portion overlap each other and overlap a portion of the first solar cell and a portion of the second solar cell as viewed in a direction normal to the bottom surfaces of the first and second solar cells to which the first and second electrodes are attached, and 
 the first connecting member and the second connecting member respectively extend to the first and second planar portions that are at distal ends of the first and second connecting members, and the first and second planar portions overlap another portion of the second solar cell as viewed in the direction normal to the bottom surface of the second solar cell. 
 
     
     
       2. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first connecting member and the second connecting member are formed in different shapes. 
 
     
     
       3. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first connecting member has a level difference between the first planar portion and the first electrode connecting portion in a thickness direction of the first solar cell. 
 
     
     
       4. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the second connecting member has a level difference between the second planar portion and the second electrode connecting portion in a thickness direction of the second solar cell. 
 
     
     
       5. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first connecting member is arranged so that the first planar portion does not overlap with the first solar cell, and 
 the second connecting member is arranged so that the second planar portion overlaps with the second solar cell. 
 
     
     
       6. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first connecting member and the second connecting member are each a bent product of a metal foil. 
 
     
     
       7. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first electrode connecting portion of the first connecting member and the second electrode connecting portion of the second connecting member have at least one of a cut-out portion or an opening. 
 
     
     
       8. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 a respective reflector is arranged in at least a portion of an area on a top surface corresponding to an outer peripheral edge of each of the solar cells. 
 
     
     
       9. The connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first connecting member includes a first link that extends between the first electrode connecting portion and the first planar portion, 
 the second connecting member includes a second link that extends between the second electrode connecting portion and the second planar portion, and 
 the first and second links converge toward each other such that the first and second planar portions contact each other at a location that is spaced from the solar cells. 
 
     
     
       10. A solar cell string having a plurality of the pairs of solar cells electrically connected and linked one after another by using the connecting member set of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first planar portion and the second planar portion are adhered to each other with an adhesive applied between an edge of the at least one of the cut-out portion or the opening formed in the first planar portion and the second planar portion exposed toward the first planar portion from the at least one of the cut-out portion or the opening. 
 
     
     
       11. The solar cell string of  claim 10 , wherein
 each of the pairs of solar cells has a first end and a second end extended parallel to each other, and 
 a given pair of solar cells adjacent to each other out of the plurality of solar cells are connected to each other by placing the first end of the one of the pair of solar cells so as to overlap with a light receiving surface side of the second end of the other one of the pair of solar cells, or the second end of the other one of the pair of solar cells so as to overlap with a light receiving surface side of the first end of the one of the pair of solar cells. 
 
     
     
       12. The solar cell string of  claim 10 , wherein
 the connecting member set includes a plurality of connecting member sets, the plurality of connecting member sets being used to electrically connect a given pair of solar cells adjacent to each other out of the plurality of solar cells. 
 
     
     
       13. The solar cell string of  claim 10 , wherein
 each of the plurality of solar cells is a piece obtained by dividing a larger solar cell. 
 
     
     
       14. A solar cell module comprising the solar cell string of  claim 10 .